Wolf Pack's key players to stop versus SJSU

The Wolf Pack football team faces San Jose State in a Mountain West game at 7:36 p.m. Saturday at Mackay Stadium. Here are the key players Nevada must stop on SJSU’s offense and defense.

Offense: David Fales, Quarterback

* The former Wolf Pack quarterback has overcome long odds to become a legitimate NFL prospect (SJSU was the fourth college he attended). Over the past two years (22 games), he’s passed for 7,069 yards and 54 touchdowns. That’s an average of more than 320 yards per game. Nevada’s pass defense has been better than its run defense this year, but it still ranks 97th out of 123 FBS team in pass efficiency defense. The Wolf Pack needs to get a rush on Fales from DEs Brock Hekking, Lenny Jones and Ian Seau. It could pressure Fales into some mistakes. He has 12 interceptions this season, including five two-pick games. The 6-foot-3 Fales doesn’t have the strongest arm, but he makes quick and accurate reads.

SJSU quarterback David Fales looks to pass during a game against UNLV earlier this season. (Julie Jacobson/AP file)

Defense: Keith Smith, Linebacker

* The 6-foot-1, 236-pound Smith leads the NCAA in tackles this season with 122 and also is college’s active leader in tackles at 439. The three-time all-conference honoree reminds me of former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has blossomed into one of the NFL’s best inside backers. Smith isn’t as fast as Wagner, but he has great instincts and is always around the ball. Despite Nevada’s inability to run the ball this season, it has stuck with its run-first plan in almost all of its games. If that’s the case against SJSU, the Wolf Pack’s offensive line needs to get to the second level and put a body on Smith. If he’s able to run free, he’s a sure-handed tackler who is quick to the ball.